Islamist civil wars pose a major challenge to peace and security around the world. Written by two leading scholars of conflict resolution, Jihadist Peace: Ending Islamist Civil Wars offers a groundbreaking analysis of why these conflicts are among the most difficult to end, and what can be done about it. The book makes a theoretical contribution by explaining their intractability, arguing that the transnational ideological framing of Islamist civil wars increases uncertainty about the capabilities and resolve of the warring parties. Drawing on conflict resolution theory, rigorous statistical analysis, and detailed case studies of Afghanistan, Mauritania, Mali, and Syria, the authors explore the conditions under which these wars can both come to an end and be resolved. They argue that the local dimension is key: by disentangling both rebel and government actors from broader networks, Jihadist Peace charts a path toward resolving some of the world's most intractable civil wars.

‘As Islamist conflicts continue to dominate global headlines, Nilsson and Svensson advance an original theory explaining why these wars are less likely to end, more prone to relapse, and especially resistant to negotiated settlement. Drawing on both comparative analysis and rich case studies, they identify the characteristics that drive conflict persistence but also outline options for bringing these wars to a close. An essential read for both scholars and practitioners.’

Jerome Drevon - Senior Analyst at the International Crisis Group and Research Fellow at the Geneva Graduate Institute

‘Using the sharpest arrows in the political science quiver, Nilsson and Svensson take down a formidable foe: the toughest conflicts of our time. They assess their roots, quantify their danger, and show us how to isolate and eliminate them.’

Ron E. Hassner - Author of ‘Religion on the Battlefield’

'Jihadist conflicts do come to an end, as this thorough and well-reasoned book assures us. Based on a multi-year global study, with deep dives into specific conflict cases, this analysis shows that the ideological and international structures of support for these movements may appear to be intractable, but shifting circumstances provide opportunities for change and resolution. This book is a major contribution to peace and conflict studies and deserves a wide reading by scholars, policy-makers, and anyone concerned with the role of religion in both warfare and peace.'

Mark Juergensmeyer - Author of ‘When God Stops Fighting: How Religious Violence Ends’

‘This book is a welcome addition to the study of Islamist conflicts. The authors must be commended for striking a balance between the acknowledgment of case specificities and the search for generalizable conclusions. The result is a nuanced and thorough research that eschews facile explanations and moves the needle of our collective knowledge on the subject.’

Marie-Joelle Zahar - Professor, Department of Political Science, Université de Montréal